A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance

ABSTRACT

A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance, including an agitator rotatable about an axis; a housing having a front side, a rear side and first and second sides which extend between the front side and rear side, said housing at least partially defining a chamber. The chamber at least partially surrounds the agitator, the chamber having a dirty air inlet and a dirty air outlet. The chamber includes an opening for permitting access to and removal of the agitator from the chamber and a cover cooperatively associated with the housing for permitting access to the chamber through the opening. The cover is movable to an agitator access position to permit the agitator to be removed from the chamber through the opening in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the agitator and in a direction which is substantially parallel to a plane of the surface to be cleaned.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national phase application of International Application No. PCT/GB2020/053311, filed Dec. 18, 2020, which claims priority to UK Patent Application No. 1918982.8, filed Dec. 20, 2019, the entire contents all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cleaner head for a cleaning appliance. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a cleaner head for a multi-floor, or wet/dry, vacuum cleaner.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a cleaner head for a cleaning appliance, including:

-   an agitator rotatable about an axis; -   a housing having a front side, a rear side and first and second     sides which extend between the front side and rear side, said     housing at least partially defining a chamber, wherein said chamber     at least partially surrounds the agitator, the chamber having a     dirty air inlet and a dirty air outlet, wherein the housing is     movable along a surface to be cleaned; -   wherein the chamber includes an opening for permitting access to and     removal of the agitator from the chamber; -   a cover cooperatively associated with the housing for permitting     access to the chamber through the opening; -   wherein the cover is movable to an agitator access position to     permit the agitator to be removed from the chamber through the     opening in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the     agitator and in a direction which is substantially parallel to a     plane of the surface to be cleaned.

The opening and the cover may be positioned at or on the front side of the housing.

The cover may be releasably connectable to, e.g. removable from, the housing.

The cover may be pivotably movable, preferably downwardly, with respect to the housing to an agitator access position.

The housing may include at least one recess for providing a pivotal connection and the cover includes at least one protrusion for providing a pivotal connection wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to permit the cover to pivot about an axis defined by the at least one recess.

The at least one protrusion may be substantially curvilinear, e.g. hook shaped, and the at least one recess may be substantially curvilinear to permit the at least one protrusion to be received in the at least one recess and to permit the cover to pivot with respect to the housing about an axis defined by the at least one recess.

The cover may include first and second protrusions for providing a pivotal connection. The first protrusion may be provided at or near a first end of the cover adjacent the first side of the housing. The second protrusion may be provided at or near a second end of the cover adjacent the second side of the housing. The housing may include first and second recesses positioned on a front side of the housing at or near the first and second sides of the housing for providing a pivotal seating in which the first and second protrusions are received, in use.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a cleaning appliance including a cleaner head according to the first aspect of the invention.

The cleaning appliance may include a source of suction for drawing air through the dirty air outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a cleaner head in accordance with an embodiment of the invention (outlet pipe not shown);

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cleaner head of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cleaner head of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cleaner head of FIG. 2 (outlet pipe not shown);

FIG. 6 is a further perspective view of the cleaner head of FIG. 2 with a front cover of the cleaner head removed (outlet pipe not shown);

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the cleaner head of FIG. 2 (outlet pipe not shown);

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the cleaner head of FIG. 2 (outlet pipe not shown);

FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) show schematic cross-sectional views of the cover 17 and the chamber viewed in a direction along the axis R of the agitator 11; and

FIGS. 10 to 14 show a series of steps to remove an agitator of the cleaner head through an opening in a front side of the cleaner head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a surface cleaning appliance 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The surface cleaning appliance 1 is, in particular a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, or multi-floor, cleaner. The surface cleaning appliance 1 includes a main body 2 and a cleaner head 10. The surface cleaning appliance 1 may rest on the cleaner head 10 in use and/or when in a stored position. The main body 2 may be connected to the cleaner 10. In particular the main body 2 may be pivotably connected to the cleaner head 10. The connection between the main body 2 and the cleaner head 10 may permit the main body to pivot in a fore-aft direction in which the cleaner is moved during use and to respective left and right sides of the cleaner head 10 which are generally perpendicular, or perpendicular, to the fore-aft direction in which the cleaner is moved during use. In particular the pivotal connection may permit the main body 2 to sit within a periphery of the cleaner head 10, i.e. within front, rear and first and second sides of the cleaner head 10 (described in more detail below), so that a centre of gravity of the surface cleaning appliance 1 is positioned within a footprint of the cleaner head 10. This permits the surface cleaning appliance to be stored in an upright position. To permit this pivotal connection an outlet pipe 9 is provided between the cleaner head 10 and the main body 2. The outlet pipe 9 is relatively flexible and ensures that the pivotal connection between the main body 2 and cleaner 10 can function. The outlet pipe 9 is fluidly connected to a dirty air outlet of the cleaner head and to a dirt collection container 5. This is described in more detail below.

It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the main body 2 may be fixed in position with respect to the cleaner head 10. In further envisaged embodiments the surface cleaning appliance 1 may be a cylinder style cleaner. In such embodiments the surface cleaning appliance may include a wand, a first end of which is connected to the outlet pipe 9 and a second end of which is connected to the cleaner head 10.

The surface cleaning appliance includes a handle 3 for a user to grasp. The handle 3 may be positioned above the main body 2. In particular the handle 3 may be positioned at a top of the surface cleaning appliance 1.

The main body 2 houses a source of suction, e.g. a motor, fan, impeller, for creating a vacuum (not shown). In some embodiments the motor may be a brushless motor. The source of suction may be positioned at a top of the main body 2. In particular, the source of suction may be positioned adjacent the handle 3.

A cleaning fluid supply tank 4 for holding a cleaning fluid is supported on the main body 2. In use, the cleaning fluid supply tank 4 receives fluid for cleaning a surface to be cleaned. For example, the cleaning fluid supply tank may receive a pre-mixed cleaning solution for cleaning a surface. In other embodiments the cleaning fluid supply tank 4 may receive water to which a concentrated cleaning solution is added, either in the cleaning fluid supply tank or subsequently from a further cleaning fluid supply tank (not shown) of the cleaning appliance 1. The cleaning fluid supply tank 4 is releasably connectable to the main body 2, although it could be fixed in the main body 2. In particular, the cleaning fluid supply tank 4 is received, at least partially, within a recess on an exterior surface of the main body 2. A fluid inlet (not shown) is provided in the recess to which the cleaning fluid supply tank 4 is fluidly connectable. The cleaning fluid supply tank 4 is positioned on a rear of the main body 2 with respect to a fore-aft direction in which the cleaner is moved during use. The cleaning fluid supply tank 4 is also positioned close to, or adjacent, the source of suction.

The fluid inlet is fluidly connected to a cleaning fluid dispensing device 6 on the cleaner head 10. In this particular embodiment the cleaning fluid dispensing device is at least one spray nozzle 6. The at least one spray nozzle 6 sprays cleaning fluid onto an agitator of the cleaner head 10. The at least one spray nozzle may alternatively, or additionally, spray cleaning fluid onto a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid dispensing device is fluidly connected to the fluid inlet via fluid channels which extend from and through the main body 2 to the cleaner head 10. This permits fluid from the cleaning fluid supply tank 4 to be conveyed to the cleaning fluid dispending device 6.

The main body 2 also supports a dirt collection container 5 which is fluidly connected to the source of suction. The dirt collection container 5 is also fluidly connected to the dirty air outlet of the cleaner head by the outlet pipe 9. The dirt collection container may include an air/liquid separator to separate any dirty cleaning fluid, and dirt entrained therein, which has been suctioned from the surface to be cleaned from the air. The dirt collection container 5 is releasably connectable to the main body 2 of the cleaning appliance 1, although it could be fixed in the body 2. The dirt collection container is also provided in a lower half of the main body 2, closer to the cleaner head 10 than the handle 3. The dirt collection container 5 is provided on a front of the main body with respect to a fore-aft direction in which the cleaner is moved during use. The dirt collection container 5 may support a bag or other receptacle for holding collected dirt, with the bag or other receptacle being removable for discarding the collected dirt.

The cleaner head 10 is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 14 .

In the present embodiment the cleaner head 10 includes wheels 22, 24 which are positioned at a rear side 16 of the cleaner head 10. In particular, the wheels 22, 24 are positioned either side of the outlet pipe 9 which fluidly connects a dirty air outlet 26 of the cleaner head 10 to the dirt collection container 5. As can be seen in FIG. 4 , further wheels 21, 23 are provided on a floor facing surface of the cleaner head 10. The wheels 22, 24 and further wheels 21, 23 permit the surface cleaning appliance 1 to move across a surface to be cleaned. In other embodiments the cleaner head 10 may be provided with a roller instead of, or in addition to, the wheels 22, 24 positioned at the rear side 16 of the cleaner head 10.

The cleaner head 10 includes a housing 12 which is movable along a surface to be cleaned. The housing 12 also includes a front side 14 and first and second sides, e.g. left and right sides, 18, 20 which extend between the front side 14 and the rear side 16. The front side 14, rear side 16, and first and second sides 18, 20 define a periphery which defines a footprint of the cleaner head 10. The housing 12 includes a floor facing surface 28 which is described in more detail below.

The housing 12 includes a top surface 25. The top surface 25 extends between the front side 14, rear side 16 and first and second sides 18, 20. In use, the top surface 25 faces away from a surface to be cleaned.

The cleaner head 10 also includes an agitator 11 rotatable about an axis R within a chamber 13 at least partially defined by the housing 12. The axis R is generally parallel to a surface to be cleaned and orthogonal to a fore-aft direction in which the cleaner is moved during use. The agitator 11 is formed as a generally cylindrical member with a microfibre material 117 on its outer surface 113. The microfibre material 117 may be tufted. Bristles 118 may be interspersed with the microfiber material. The bristles 118 may be provided in tufts in a helical pattern on the outer surface of the agitator 11.

The floor facing surface 28 extends between the front side 14, rear side 16 and first and second sides 18, 20. In use the floor facing surface 28 faces a surface to be cleaned. The floor facing surface 28 includes a floor engaging device 30 and a wiper device 70. The floor engaging device 30 is positioned rearwardly of the wiper device 70. The floor facing surface 28 includes a dirty air inlet 27 through which dirt entrained air and dirty cleaning fluid may be received by the cleaner head 10. The dirty air inlet 27 extends between a portion of the agitator which contacts the surface to be cleaned in use and the wiper device 70.

The chamber 13 at least partially surrounds the agitator 11. The chamber 13 is at least partially defined by a rear chamber wall 201. The rear chamber wall 201 defines the dirty air outlet 26. The dirty air outlet 26 is fluidly connected to the chamber 13. The chamber 13 is also fluidly connected to the dirty air inlet 27 which faces the surface to be cleaned.

The chamber is also defined by respective first and second side walls 180, 200 which are respectively positioned closer to or adjacent the first and second sides 18, 20 of the housing 12. The side wall 180 includes an inwardly facing surface 182. The inwardly facing surface 182 includes a recess 184. The inwardly facing surface 182 also includes an abutment wall 185 which at least partially defines the recess 184. The recess 184 receives, in use, a first end of the agitator 11 when the agitator 11 is inserted into the chamber 13 through the opening 15. The agitator also abuts the abutment wall 185 once it is in position, as explained in more detail below. The inwardly facing surface 182 also includes a further recess 186 for providing a snap-fit connection for the agitator 11 as will be explained in more detail below.

The chamber 13 includes an opening 15 for permitting access to and removal of the agitator 11 from the chamber 13. The opening 15 extends at least partially across a front side 14 of the housing 12 between the first and second sides 18, 20 and the top and floor facing surfaces 25, 28. The cleaner head 10 includes a cover 17 positioned, in use, over the opening 15 on the front side 14 of the housing 12. The cover 17 also extends across the front side 14 of the housing 12 and between the first and second sides 18, 20 and the top and floor facing surfaces 25, 28. The cover 17 is cooperatively associated with the housing 12 for permitting access to the chamber 13 through the opening 15 in the front side 14 of the housing 12. In FIGS. 1 to 5 and 10 the cover 17 is shown closing the opening 15. In FIGS. 5 to 8 and 11 to 14 the cover 17 has been moved to and is shown in an agitator access position. The cover 17 is typically in an, in use, position in which the cover 17 covers the opening 15. The cover 17 is movable to an agitator access position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 and 9 to 12 , to permit the agitator 11 to be removed from the chamber 13 through the opening 15 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis R of the agitator 11 and in a direction which is substantially parallel to a plane of the surface to be cleaned. In particular, a first end 110 of the agitator is pivoted about a second end 120 of the agitator to remove the first end 110 through the opening 15 before the remainder of the agitator 11 is removed through the opening 15. This is described in more detail below.

A first end 110 of the agitator 11 is provided with a tab 112 including a grip for a user to grip to facilitate removal of the agitator from the chamber 13 through the opening 15 in the front 14 of the housing 12. The tab 112 may abut an interior surface of the cover 17 when the cover 17 is in the in use position. In other embodiments a gap may be provided between the interior surface of the cover 17 and the tab 112 when the cover 17 is in an in use position. In the present embodiment the tab 112 includes a formation (not shown). The formation is positioned on a surface of the tab 112 which faces the inwardly facing surface 182 of the first side wall 180 which at least partially defines the chamber 13. When the agitator 11 is inserted into the chamber 13 the tab 112 abuts the abutment wall 185 and is received in the recess 184. The formation of the tab 112 then engages the further recess 186 when the agitator 11 is in position in the chamber 13 to provide a snap-fit connection between the housing 12 and the agitator 11. The tab 112 further includes a bearing which permits the tab 112 to be held in the housing 12 whilst permitting the agitator 11 to rotate relative to the tab 112.

In the present embodiment a height H1 of the opening 15 measured in a direction generally orthogonal (e.g. vertically) to a surface to be cleaned from a surface to be cleaned to a top surface of the chamber 13 is greater than a height H2 of the cover 17 measured in a direction generally orthogonal to a surface to be cleaned between a top and a bottom of an exterior surface of the cover 17 which faces the agitator 11 in use. This is advantageous as it permits larger dirt particles to pass underneath the cover 17 whilst maintaining suction applied to the surface to be cleaned. In other embodiments the height of the opening 15 measured in a direction generally orthogonal to a surface to be cleaned may be substantially the same as the height of the cover 17 measured in a direction generally orthogonal to a surface to be cleaned.

The cover 17 is releasably connectable to the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 5 . In particular, the cleaner head 10 includes a release member 40, in the form of a button biased by a spring, positioned on the top surface 25 of the housing 12 generally midway between the first and second sides 18, 20 of the housing 12. The button may be pivotably connected to the housing 12. In other embodiments the release member 40 may be positioned on the first and/or second sides 18, 20 of the housing 12. The release member 40 includes at least one release member protrusion 42 and the cover 17 includes at least one release recess 44. In the present embodiment only a single release member protrusion 42 and a single release recess 44 are provided. The release protrusion 42 is received in the release recess 44 which at least partially secures the cover 17 to the housing 12. In the present embodiment the cover 17 is pivotably movable, preferably downwardly, with respect to the housing 12 when the cover is moved to an agitator access position. In particular, the cover 17 is pivotably movable downwardly and releasably connectable to the housing 12 when the cover is moved to an agitator access position. To open the cover 17 the release member 40 is depressed which compresses the spring. The pivoting action of the release member 40 causes the protrusion 42 to pivot upwardly to disengage from the recess 44. This permits the cover 17 to pivot downwardly. The spring then biases the release member 40 to its original position. To close the cover 17, once opened, a user pivots the cover upwardly to urge the recess 44 into engagement with the protrusion 42. This action causes the release member 40 to pivot upwardly and the protrusion 42 to pivot upwardly. This compresses the spring. Once the recess 44 is in position the release member 40 and protrusion 42 pivot downwardly into engagement with the recess 44 by virtue of the compressive force stored in the spring.

FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) show schematic cross-sectional views of the cover 17 and the chamber viewed in a direction along the axis R of the agitator 11. The housing 12 includes at least one recess 50, which includes at least a curvilinear section when viewed in cross-section perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to the axis R of the agitator 11. In embodiments the at least one recess 50 may include other sections or be formed of other shapes when viewed in cross-section along the axis R of the agitator 11 without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example the recess 50 may be rectangular, or triangular, or circular, or irregularly shaped when viewed in cross-section perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to the axis of the agitator 11 without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the at least one recess 50 may be defined, at least partially, by a protrusion 54 which extends into the at least one recess 50 inwardly from the first or second side 18, 20 of the housing 12. The protrusion 54 may include a curvilinear section when viewed in cross-section perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to the axis R of the agitator 11. In particular, the protrusion 54 may be rectangular, or triangular, or circular, or irregularly shaped when viewed in cross-section perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to the axis of the agitator 11.

The cover 17 includes at least one protrusion 60, which preferably includes a substantially curvilinear section 68 when viewed in cross-section along the axis of the agitator 11, e.g. hook shaped. Each hook-shaped protrusion extends inwardly towards the agitator and downwardly towards the surface to be cleaned. In other embodiments the at least one protrusion 60 may include other sections or be formed of other shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example the protrusion 60 may include a section which is rectangular, or triangular, or circular, or irregularly shaped when viewed in cross-section perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to the axis of the agitator 11 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The at least one protrusion 60 is received by the at least one recess 50. The protrusion 54 provides a surface over which the at least one protrusion 60 may move as the at least one protrusion is received by the at least one recess 50. This provides an effective pivot connection and permits the cover 17 to pivot approximately about where the front side 14 of the housing 12 and the floor facing surface 28 converge. In one particular embodiment the at least one recess 50 and the at least one protrusion 60 may include substantially complementary cross-sections when viewed in cross-section along the axis of the agitator 11.

In this particular embodiment the cover 17 includes first and second protrusions 60, 62 for providing a pivotal connection. The first and second protrusions 60, 62 may be substantially the same, or may be mirror images of each other. The first protrusion 60 is provided at or near a first end 64 of the cover 17 adjacent the first side 18 of the housing 12. The second protrusion 62 is provided at or near a second end 66 of the cover 17 adjacent the second side 20 of the housing 12. The housing 12 includes first and second recesses 50, 52 positioned on a front side 14 of the housing 12. The first and second recesses 50, 52 are provided at or near the first and second sides 18, 20 of the housing 12 in which the first and second protrusions 60, 62 are received as the cover is moved from an agitator access position to a closed position.

A floor engaging device 30 is connected to the floor facing surface 28 of the housing 12 which extends laterally between the first and second sides 18, 20 of the housing 12 for wiping, or engaging, a surface to be cleaned. The floor engaging device 30 is positioned between the dirty air inlet 27 and the rear side 16 of the housing 12. In other words, the floor engaging device 30 is positioned rearwardly of the dirty air inlet 27. A further wiper device, in this instance a squeegee, 70 is positioned between the dirty air inlet 27 and the floor engaging device 30.

A method of removing the agitator 11 from the cleaner head 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12 .

Initially, as shown in FIG. 10 , the cover 17 is in an in use position at or on the front 14 of the housing 12 and is held in position by the release member 40 and the protrusions 60, 62 and recesses 50, 52. The release member 40 is depressed to compress the spring and such that a front portion of the release member 40 pivots upwardly. This causes the at least one release member protrusion 42 to disengage from the at least one release recess 44. The cover 17 is then free to pivot downwardly away from the top surface 25 of the housing 12. As the cover 17 pivots downwardly the protrusions 60, 62 are at least partially removed from the recesses 50, 52. This position is shown in FIG. 10 .

From the position in FIG. 10 the cover 17 is removed by completely removing the protrusions 60, 62 from the recesses 50, 52 and taking the cover off the housing 12 to expose the opening 15 and the agitator 11, as shown in FIG. 11 . A user may then grip the tab 112 and pull the first end 110 of the agitator 11 out of an in use position through the opening 15 in the front side 14 of the housing 12. This causes the agitator to effectively pivot about its second end 120 as shown in FIG. 12 . From this position it is then possible to remove the agitator 11 from the chamber 13 through the opening 15 in the front side 14 of the housing 12. Once the agitator 11 is removed it is possible to clean the agitator 11, or replace the agitator 11 with a different agitator, before reinstalling the agitator by following the reverse process to that described above.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents. 

1. A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance comprising: an agitator rotatable about an axis; a housing having a front side, a rear side and first and second sides which extend between the front side and rear side, said housing at least partially defining a chamber, wherein said chamber at least partially surrounds the agitator, the chamber having a dirty air inlet and a dirty air outlet, wherein the housing is configured to move along a surface to be cleaned; wherein the chamber includes an opening for permitting access to and removal of the agitator from the chamber; a cover cooperatively associated with the housing for permitting access to the chamber through the opening; wherein the cover is movable to an agitator access position to permit the agitator to be removed from the chamber through the opening in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the agitator and in a direction which is substantially parallel to a plane of the surface to be cleaned.
 2. A cleaner head according to claim 1 wherein the opening and the cover are positioned at or on the front side of the housing.
 3. A cleaner head according to claim 1 wherein the cover is releasably connectable to the housing.
 4. A cleaner head according to claim 1 wherein the cover is pivotably movable with respect to the housing to an agitator access position.
 5. A cleaner head according to claim 4 wherein the housing includes at least one recess for providing a pivotal connection and the cover includes at least one protrusion for providing a pivotal connection wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to permit the cover to pivot about an axis defined by the at least one recess.
 6. A cleaner head according to claim 5 wherein the at least one protrusion is substantially curvilinear and the at least one recess is substantially curvilinear to permit the at least one protrusion to be received in the at least one recess and to permit the cover to pivot with respect to the housing about an axis defined by the at least one recess.
 7. A cleaner according to claim 5 wherein the cover includes first and second protrusions for providing a pivotal connection, wherein the first protrusion is provided at or near a first end of the cover adjacent the first side of the housing and the second protrusion is provided at or near a second end of the cover adjacent the second side of the housing; and wherein the housing includes first and second recesses positioned on a front side of the housing at or near the first and second sides of the housing for providing a pivotal seating in which the first and second protrusions are received, in use.
 8. A cleaning appliance including a cleaner head according to claim
 1. 9. A cleaning appliance according to claim 8 including a source of suction for drawing air through the dirty air outlet.
 10. A cleaner head according to claim 4 wherein the cover is pivotably movable downwardly with respect to the housing to the agitator access position. 